Pitman Rods

[Mark T]

When i started haying two years ago, I got taken on a Ford 501 6' sickle bar. Paid $500 but it didn't work very well. Dad and I have spent close to a $1000 on parts for repair so it is probably two thirds new parts now and is cutting much better and I can go along in fifth gear on level ground. It is running great now, with one problem - there seems to be hell on the Pitman rods.

I just finished cutting ten acres of hay and over the course of the cutting I had to replace the pitman rod twice. I didn't hit anything and only trigger the fold back safety twice. But the rods cracked around the bolts holding it on the pto side of the pitman rod, allowing the rod to slip out.

How do I identify the problem and fix it? It cuts fine otherwise.

[haypoint]

Check to see if you are mowing hay in fifth gear on level ground. I'd think that's your problem, if fifth gear is anything close as fast as my tractor. The cutter needs a chance to cut what it has between the cutter and the guards befor more hay arrives at its doorstep. The faster you go, the harder to keep up, the more the cutter bar bends backward away from the hay, causing even more strain on the cutter bar and that overworks the pitman.

See if the cutter bar points toward the tractor on the far end. Needs some farward position so it is straight when under load. Adjust the angle of the cutter down a bit. If it is adjusted to far up on the front of the cutterbar, it will want to tear the grass instead of cut it. Angled too far down and iy'll scoop rocks or dirt.

Can you push and pull the cutter bar when the pitman is off. If not can you find out where it is binding. Have the wear guards been properly adjusted?

What RPM are you running it. Too slow and the teeth can't get through the hay before there is more to cut. Too fast and everything flies apart.

[rambler]

5th gear on what tractor? Out of how many gears available?

Haypoint has some good ideas.

My 501, on my 2nd pitman in 9 years now. The bolts went loose on the ball end & it jambed the wood, otherwise it was going well for a few more years.

Kicked the kickback when I dropped it against the bridge last week; otherwise it hasn't popped in about 2 years, only if I hit something.

Seems like you are pushing the thing way, way too much?

--->Paul

[Bret4207]

I've used sickle bar mowers with pitmans for years. You will break them one after another if you go too fast. You want to mow in 5th gear, get a discbine.

[RosewoodfarmVA]

I mowed 30 acres of hay with a sickle mower for years, then got a haybine. I'll never think about a sickle mower again. For what you have paid in parts you could have bought a decent used haybine. I paid 3500 for mine from a man here on HT that was in almost new condition, but you can find good deals on older ones. Looked at one nearby that was $300 in working condition. With the haybine you have no problems with piled grass or windthrown grass. You'll love it and your sickle will sit under the shed like mine has for the last 4 years.